10-12-2006, 07:46 PM
http://headlines.sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14309524&headline=Muslims~warned~over~greeting~Hindus
<b>Malaysian Muslims warned over greeting Hindus </b>
Wednesday, 11 October , 2006 <!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Kuala Lumpur: The head of Malaysia's Shariat Department has asked Muslims in the country not to greet Hindus a Happy Diwali, a directive the government distanced itself from saying it is a narrow interpretation of Islam.
Fauzi Mustaffar, head of Shariah department, in an email directive to office staff has said that Diwali was a religious festival in which Hindu deities were worshipped and greeting Hindus on the occasion was like practising polytheism to Muslims.
"So Muslims who have inadvertently wished Hindus a Happy Diwali, Happy Durga Pooja or Happy Lakshmi Pooja must immediately repent and not repeat it in the future," Fauzi said in his e-mail, according to The Star daily. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>Malaysian Muslims warned over greeting Hindus </b>
Wednesday, 11 October , 2006 <!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Kuala Lumpur: The head of Malaysia's Shariat Department has asked Muslims in the country not to greet Hindus a Happy Diwali, a directive the government distanced itself from saying it is a narrow interpretation of Islam.
Fauzi Mustaffar, head of Shariah department, in an email directive to office staff has said that Diwali was a religious festival in which Hindu deities were worshipped and greeting Hindus on the occasion was like practising polytheism to Muslims.
"So Muslims who have inadvertently wished Hindus a Happy Diwali, Happy Durga Pooja or Happy Lakshmi Pooja must immediately repent and not repeat it in the future," Fauzi said in his e-mail, according to The Star daily. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->